Indigenous Resources For the Heritage Sector
In the spirit of reconciliation and decolonization, the National Trust for Canada is committed to sourcing, and sharing resources on Indigenous heritage and culture. The links below are a starting point for both organizations and individuals to strengthen understanding and will be updated regularly.
Treaty & Indigenous Rights
Learn more about the inherent rights Indigenous Peoples have in this place currently known as Canada, as recognized in the constitution and the peace and friendship treaties signed with the Crown.
- The Royal Proclamation of 1763 (Government of Canada)
- Treaties and Agreements (Government of Canada source)
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
- Canada’s History – Treaties and the Treaty Relationship Educational Package
The History and Legacy of the Indian Residential Schools System
Through reports and the direct testimony of Indian Residential School System survivors, learn more about these institutions of assimilation and genocide and their continued to impact on generations of Indigenous Peoples.
Through reports and the direct testimony of Indian Residential School System survivors, learn more about these institutions of assimilation and genocide and their continued to impact on generations of Indigenous Peoples.
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports
- National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls
- Calls to Action Accountability: A 2020 Status Update on Reconciliation
- Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
Indigenous Heritage Sector Resources
Find ways to include and elevate Indigenous ways of knowing and being in your work within the heritage sector.
- Indigenous Heritage Circle
- Heritage and Reconciliation Pledge – Heritage BC
- Setting the Bar: A Guide to Achieve New Standards for Reconciliation Within the Heritage Sector (Heritage BC)
Reconciliation-Focused Organizations
Connect with and learn from Indigenous-led organizations working toward reconciliation, healing, and justice for all Canadians.
- Reconciliation Canada
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
- Legacy Of Hope Foundation
Self-Directed Learning Opportunities
Commit to further education on Indigenous Peoples by challenging yourself to learn and unlearn our shared history from a different perspective.
- The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada (online module training by RAIC)
- Indigenous Canada MOOC – University of Alberta
- Cultural Competencies – Livestream Course (November 2021)
- Indigenous Foundations (UBC)
- Reconciling History (First Nations Child & Family Caring Society)
- Towards Braiding (Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures)
- First Peoples Law Reading Lists
Learning Resources
Watch past presentations and webinars to deepen your understanding of the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face and how you can be a better ally.
- Video: Territorial Acknowledgements: Going Beyond The Script
- Video: Indigenous Practitioner Perspectives on City Building
- Video: Aabamnigaan: Looking Ahead – Lang Pioneer Village (example of shared story telling)
- Video: Situating Early Residential Schools in Settler Canadian Society – Know History and Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre
- CBC Radio: Building an ally: non-indigenous people share their stories of bridge building
- Video: Tour of Shingwauk Residential School Centre National Historic Site
- Video: Our World Heritage INDIGENOUS FORUM #1 Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management (Part 1)
- Video: Our World Heritage INDIGENOUS FORUM #2 Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management (Part 2)
- Virtual Experience: Save the Evidence at Woodland Cultural Centre former Residential School
- Video: Residential Schools in Canada – A Timeline – (Historica)
- Film: Freedom Road Series ( colonial development and city planning resulting in territorial land loss)
Reference Tools
Access tools to support your growing knowledge of Indigenous Peoples that you can continue to reference as you chart your own path towards reconciliation.
- 12 Ways To Better Choose Our Words When We Write About Indigenous Peoples
- Style Guide for Reporting on Indigenous People
- Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines
- Territorial/Land Acknowledgement Resource – (Royal Architectural Institute of Canada)
- Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization
*If you have a resource link that you would like to be included here, please email us here.
